U.S. patent number 7,677,204 [Application Number 11/603,346] was granted by the patent office on 2010-03-16 for dog training device.
Invention is credited to Chad James.
United States Patent |
7,677,204 |
James |
March 16, 2010 |
Dog training device
Abstract
An animal training device utilizes electrical voltage pulses
applied between spaced electrical conductors placed in close
proximity to the skin of the animal to provide a stimulus useful in
training the animal. The conductors, are exposed and are
substantially flat; and these spaced conductors may be placed
side-by-side in a localized area, around the entire inner surface
of a collar or strap on an animal's neck, or spaced on the body of
the animal in different locations. Alternatively, the conductors
may be located on the end of a livestock prod.
Inventors: |
James; Chad (Tucson, AZ) |
Family
ID: |
29780089 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/603,346 |
Filed: |
November 21, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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10877871 |
Jun 25, 2004 |
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10188156 |
Jul 1, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
119/712; 119/859;
119/822 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D
13/0015 (20130101); A01K 15/02 (20130101); A41D
31/18 (20190201); A41D 13/08 (20130101); A41D
27/10 (20130101); A63B 71/12 (20130101); A63B
21/4007 (20151001); A63B 21/4005 (20151001); A01K
27/009 (20130101); A41D 31/185 (20190201); A63B
21/4025 (20151001); A41D 27/12 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01K
15/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;119/712,720,765,822,859,905,908 ;231/7 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Parsley; David J
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Oremland, P.C.; Lawrence R.
Parent Case Text
RELATED APPLICATION APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
10/877,871, filed on Jun. 25, 2004, now abandoned which in turn is
a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/188,156, filed on Jul. 1,
2002 (now abandoned).
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A device comprising: a housing for use as an animal training
device designed to be worn on a strap close to the skin of an
animal on the interior surface of the strap, the housing being
electrically connected to a positive polarity output terminal of an
electrical circuit and to a negative polarity output terminal of
the electrical circuit, the housing comprising: a nonconductive
member with multiple spaced holes for exposed surface conductors;
and multiple exposed surface conductors which are exposed through
the spaced holes; wherein the exposed surface conductors are
interconnected such that one or more of the exposed surface
conductors are connected to a positive polarity input terminal and
separately, one or more of the exposed surface conductors are
connected to a negative polarity input terminal such that the
positive polarity input terminal and the negative polarity input
terminal are electrically insulated from each other; wherein the
spaced holes and the exposed surface conductors are arranged to
provide a distance of approximately 1/8 inch to approximately 3/4
inch from any of the exposed surface conductors connected to the
positive polarity input terminal, to the closest of the surface
conductors connected to the negative polarity input terminal, such
that many possible electrical paths are made between the one or
more exposed surface conductors connected to the positive polarity
input terminal, and the one or more exposed surface conductors
connected to the negative polarity input terminal; wherein the
positive polarity input terminal has means for connecting to the
positive polarity output terminal of the electrical circuit and the
negative polarity input terminal has means for connecting to the
negative polarity output terminal of the electrical circuit;
wherein the multiple exposed surface conductors are formed by two
separate wires, the first of said wires having an end spaced from
the non conductive member, forming either of said positive polarity
input terminal or said negative polarity input terminal, the first
wire extending from its terminal end toward said non conductive
member and below said non conductive member, where said first wire
extends alternately upwardly through and then downwardly through
said spaced holes in said non conductive member a plurality of
times to form the exposed surface conductors of said first wire,
said second wire having an end forming either of the positive
polarity input terminal or the negative polarity input terminal,
the second wire extending from its terminal end towards said non
conductive member and below said non conductive member to an outer
peripheral portion proximate the outer edge of the non conductive
member the second wire extending alternately upwardly through and
then downwardly through said spaced holes in said non conductive
member a plurality of times to form the exposed surface conductors
of said second wire, and wherein the first and second wires are
substantially covered by insulation except for the exposed surface
conductors.
2. A device comprising: a replacement housing for replacing
electrodes on an animal training device designed to be worn on a
strap close to the skin of an animal on the interior surface of the
strap, the electrodes are connected to a positive polarity output
terminal of an electrical circuit and to a negative polarity output
terminal of the electrical circuit, the electrical circuit being
connected to a battery, the replacement housing comprising: a
nonconductive structure with multiple spaced holes for exposed
surface conductors; and multiple exposed surface conductors which
are exposed through the spaced holes; wherein the exposed surface
conductors are interconnected such that one or more of the exposed
surface conductors are connected to a positive polarity input
terminal and separately, one or more of the exposed surface
conductors are connected to a negative polarity input terminal such
that the positive polarity input terminal and the negative polarity
input terminal are electrically insulated from each other; wherein
the spaced holes and the exposed surface conductors are arranged
with a distance of approximately 1/8 inch to approximately 3/4 inch
from any of the exposed surface conductors connected to the
positive polarity input terminal, to the closest of the surface
conductors connected to the negative polarity input terminal, such
that many possible electrical paths are made between the one or
more exposed surface conductors connected to the positive polarity
input terminal, and the one or more exposed surface conductors
connected to the negative polarity input terminal; wherein the non
conductive structure comprises an upper circular plate having a
first diameter and multiple spaced holes and a lower circular plate
having a second diameter, the first diameter being greater than the
second diameter, and wherein the multiple exposed surface
conductors are formed by two separate wires, the first of said
wires having an end spaced from the circular plates, forming either
of said positive polarity input terminal or said negative polarity
input terminal, the first wire extending from its terminal end in a
straight section extending from said terminal towards said plates
and below said upper plate to a central portion of the upper plate,
at the end of said straight section of said first wire said first
wire forming a central circular portion at an interior portion of
said upper plate, where said first wire extends alternately
upwardly through and then downwardly through said spaced holes in
said upper plate a plurality of times to form the exposed surface
conductors at said central circular portion of said first wire,
said second wire having an end spaced from the circular plates,
forming either of the positive polarity input terminal or the
negative polarity input terminal, the second wire extending from
its terminal end in a straight section extending from said terminal
towards said plates and below said upper plate to an outer
peripheral portion proximate the outer edge of the upper plate,
said straight section of said second wire being shorter than said
straight section of said first wire, at the end of said straight
section of said second wire said second wire forming an outer
circular portion outwardly spaced from and concentric with said
central circular portion of said first wire, where the second wire
extends alternately upwardly through and then downwardly through
said spaced holes in said upper plate a plurality of times to form
the exposed surface conductors at said outer peripheral portion of
said second wire.
3. A device according to claim 2 wherein the surface conductors are
arranged in a pattern with the furthest distance between any of the
surface conductors within the housing being approximately 2 inches
or less.
4. A device according to claim 2 wherein the exposed surface
conductors are conductor pins.
5. A device according to claim 2 wherein the exposed surface
conductors are conductor wire segments.
6. A device comprising: a housing for use as an animal training
device designed to be worn on a strap close to the skin of an
animal on the interior surface of the strap, the housing being
electrically connected to a positive polarity output terminal of an
electrical circuit and to a negative polarity output terminal of
the electrical circuit, the electrical circuit being connected to a
battery, the housing comprising: a nonconductive structure with
multiple spaced holes for exposed surface conductors; and multiple
exposed surface conductors which are exposed through the spaced
holes; wherein the exposed surface conductors are interconnected
such that one or more of the exposed surface conductors are
connected to a positive polarity input terminal and separately, one
or more of the exposed surface conductors are connected to a
negative polarity input terminal such that the positive polarity
input terminal and the negative polarity input terminal are
electrically insulated from each other; wherein the spaced holes
and the exposed surface conductors are arranged with a distance of
approximately 1/8 inch to approximately 3/4 inch from any of the
exposed surface conductors connected to the positive polarity input
terminal, to the closest of the surface conductors connected to the
negative polarity input terminal, such that many possible
electrical paths are made between the one or more exposed surface
conductors connected to the positive polarity input terminal, and
the one or more exposed surface conductors connected to the
negative polarity input terminal; wherein the positive polarity
input terminal has means for connecting to the positive polarity
output terminal of the electrical circuit and the negative polarity
input terminal has means for connecting to the negative polarity
output terminal of the electrical circuit; wherein the non
conductive structure comprises an upper circular plate having a
first diameter and multiple spaced holes and a lower circular plate
having a second diameter, the first diameter being greater than the
second diameter, and wherein the multiple exposed surface
conductors are formed by two separate wires, the first of said
wires having an end spaced from the circular plates, forming either
of said positive polarity input terminal or said negative polarity
input terminal, the first wire extending from its terminal end in a
straight section extending from said terminal towards said plates
and below said upper plate to a central portion of the upper plate,
at the end of said straight section of said first wire said first
wire forming a central circular portion at an interior portion of
said upper plate, where said first wire extends alternately
upwardly through and then downwardly through said spaced holes in
said upper plate a plurality of times to form the exposed surface
conductors at said central circular portion of said first wire,
said second wire having an end spaced from the circular plates,
forming either of the positive polarity input terminal or the
negative polarity input terminal, the second wire extending from
its terminal end in a straight section extending from said terminal
towards said plates and below said upper plate to an outer
peripheral portion proximate the outer edge of the upper plate,
said straight section of said second wire being shorter than said
straight section of said first wire, at the end of said straight
section of said second wire said second wire forming an outer
circular portion outwardly spaced from and concentric with said
central circular portion of said first wire, where the second wire
extends alternately upwardly through and then downwardly through
said spaced holes in said upper plate a plurality of times to form
the exposed surface conductors at said outer peripheral portion of
said second wire.
Description
BACKGROUND
In the training of animals, such as dogs and horses, and in the
handling of livestock, various techniques are employed by trainers
for encouraging or discouraging various responses or behaviors of
the animal. Particularly with respect to dogs, encouragement may be
effected by means of a small tidbit of food as a reward for desired
behavior or responses. For undesirable behavior or responses, for
animals of various types, a loud disapproving voice, or a mild
physical reprimand or other physical stimulus, often is
employed.
Various devices have been designed for applying a stimulus for
undesirable behavior in the form of an electrical stimulus to the
neck of the dog undergoing training, or in the case of livestock
handling, in the form of an electrical shock delivered through what
is known as a "cattle-prod". With respect to dog training, many of
these devices include radio signal receiver packs for responding to
transmitted signals which trigger or initiate the electrical
stimulation, as desired, under the control of the trainer operating
a transmitter.
With respect to such training devices, particularly as used for
dogs or similar animals, it has been typical to apply the
electrical stimulation directly to the animal's skin. Since animals
often carry a fairly large amount of coat over the skin, prior art
devices generally use two spaced metal electrodes in the form of
small rounded points approximately 5/16 inches to 7/8 inches in
length protruding from the stimulator housing itself, or from the
collar strap worn by the animal. These two spaced points typically
are between 1'' to 13/4'' apart and, are of opposite electrical
potential and must always come into contact with the skin of the
animal. Devices of these types have been used for many years; and
the design of the protruding electrodes is utilized in an effort to
ensure that the stimulation is consistently received by the animal
on its skin.
A number of disadvantages exist with respect to the prior art
animal training stimulators, particularly of the type worn on the
collar strap of the animal, such as a dog. Generally, the
stimulator housing contains a battery and electrical circuitry to
develop a high voltage electrical charge to be applied through
these two metal electrodes when a switch (either radio activated or
manually activated) is closed. The weight of the housing typically
is from four ounces to twelve ounces; and it generally is installed
onto a collar strap, which then is placed around the neck of the
animal, in most cases. The tightness of the collar strap is
extremely important, in order that the end result of the
performance of the device is consistent and is as desired. If the
collar strap is too loose, the two electrodes break contact with
the skin and the animal does not feel the electrical stimulation
consistently. This causes the animal to become confused and not
appropriately responsive; or the user is led to believe that the
device is faulty and then returns to the seller or discards it.
If the collar strap on the neck of the animal is too tight, the
animals's skin also can become irritated due to the rubbing action
of the two long pointed protruding metal electrodes which extend
through the coat and contact the skin. If this irritation is not
visually observed by the trainer or the user, the irritation may
cause open sores which require veterinary assistance.
Even if the collar strap initially is adjusted properly, during
normal daily routines, animals move about causing the tightness to
change. This also causes inconsistent performance of the devices
using two long protruding metal electrodes. The weight of the
stimulator housing, which generally hangs down beneath the neck of
the animal, amplifies the difficulty in attaining the proper
tightness control as well.
Even though the metal electrodes are somewhat rounded on their ends
where contact with the skin is made, the overall design of prior
art devices still necessarily is a pointed protruding metal
electrode subject to the disadvantages noted above. Over the years,
various styles of metal electrodes have been attempted, by making
them larger in diameter, shorter in length, plastic coated, and the
like; but the underlying basic problem with protruding metal
electrodes remains, even though such modifications have been
attempted.
In addition, remote controlled electrical stimulation for training
of animals has evolved over the years, to the point where lower and
lower levels of electrical stimulation (lower voltage levels) are
being used. In this manner, animal trainers are learning that less
voltage, or less stimulation, is better for training purposes,
keeping the animal motivated to perform the desired tasks. As the
level of electrical stimulation has been decreased, however, over
the years, the interface capability to the skin of the animal such
as a dog, from the device, began to reduce or become unreliable.
Consequently, this has caused trainers considerable difficulty
during training sessions as a result of confusion in the animal
undergoing training. In some cases, the stimulation perceived by
the animal is at the proper level; whereas even in the same
training session, or in a subsequent training session, because of
insufficient contact with the skin, the stimulation level differs,
even though the actual voltage level being applied to the
electrodes may remain the same. Without consistency of stimulation
at any desired level, proper training of the animal is rendered
more difficult.
The Powell U.S. Pat. No. 4,887,549 is directed to a dog training
apparatus which utilizes stimulation electrodes. The patent does
not provide a clear disclosure of the nature of the electrodes; but
they appear to be in the form of two button-like projections.
Basically, however, these projections are of the general type
described above in conjunction with the prior art in general,
showing that they are spaced at least one inch apart. In Powell,
however, it is stated that there is no need for the electrodes to
touch the dog's skin directly; and this is done to eliminate the
possibility of abrasions caused by a tight fitting collar with
protruding electrodes. The solution in the system of Powell is to
provide extremely high voltage, short duration pulses. By utilizing
extremely high voltage pulses, albeit of short duration, a problem
still exists of inconsistent application of the desired stimulus
because of the wide distance between the two electrodes, which can
lead to confusion of the animal undergoing training. For example,
if the electrodes actually do touch the skin, the stimulus will be
very severe, and much greater than what will be applied when the
electrodes are separated from the skin by a loose fitting collar.
Consistency of application, once again, becomes difficult with the
device of this patent.
The to Walker U.S. Pat. No. 4,945,860 is directed to a stock
handling device, and is illustrated as showing an electrical
stimulation or shock unit attached to the head of a cow or similar
animal. Soft contact pads with large surface areas are used for the
electrodes. One of them is placed on the forehead of the animal;
and the other is placed within a collar strap around the neck of
the animal. The stimulation pulses are applied between these
contact pads and obviously cause the stimulation to move through
the head of the animal.
In all of the devices discussed above, the basic concept of
providing a relatively high electrical voltage pulse generator,
worn by the animal, is common to all of them. This pulse generator
is turned on or triggered to apply an electrical voltage pulse
across a pair of spaced, protruding metal electrodes, either
through a direct action of the animal (such as barking, muscle
movement of the type effected by digging), or under control of the
trainer providing commands to the animal. The operation of all of
these devices is substantially the same. All of them (with the
exception of Walker) are subject to the common disadvantage which
is set forth above.
It is desirable to provide a dog training device using electrical
stimulation which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved dog
training device.
It is another object of this invention to provide an improved
electrical dog training device.
It is an additional object of this invention to provide an improved
animal training device for applying electrical stimuli to a
dog.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a dog training
device employing a substantially flat non-conductive housing on
which many spaced conductors carrying positive and negative
electrical voltage pulses are placed, wherein the housing is
designed to be worn by a dog in close proximity to the skin of the
dog.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the
invention;
FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view, with a portion removed, of the
embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG.
1;
FIG. 4 is a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a side view of the portion of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is a top view of another embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a portion of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of the
invention;
FIG. 11 is a bottom view of a portion of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10;
and
FIG. 13 is a side view of the embodiment of the invention shown in
FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As used herein, the term "housing" also means any surface having
the general configuration of the various embodiments shown in the
drawing, including the interior of a collar strap, or surface of a
harness, halter or other device to be worn by a dog. It also should
be noted that the various embodiments of the invention, which are
shown in the different figures of the drawings, all may be supplied
with electrical voltage pulses by any of a number of commercially
available devices presently being used for providing electrical
pulses through two spaced protruding electrodes in animal training
or animal handling applications. For that reason, such power
supplies (whether activated manually, or operated in response to
radio signals) are not shown in the drawings, since they are well
known and are not important to an understanding of the invention.
Such devices typically have a pair of output terminals on them; and
the various connecting leads which are shown in the different
embodiments described hereinafter may be connected to those two
output terminals for receiving electrical voltage pulses to operate
the different embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 13 in place of the standard
two protruding electrodes.
Reference now should be made to FIGS. 1 through 5, which illustrate
an embodiment of applicant's invention. In the device shown in
these figures, the animal training device is constructed in the
form of a generally flat, non-conductive plastic housing or circuit
board (which may be rigid or flexible) having a portion 10 with a
number of spaced holes through it for accommodating a pair of
spaced conductive leads 12 and 14, which are threaded through the
holes to provide exposed spaced surfaces of each of these
conductive leads or wires in the form of conductor sections as
clearly shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5.
The exposed portions of the two leads or wires 12 and 14, forming
the conductors, are substantially adjacent one another, as is most
clearly shown in FIG. 4, and essentially comprise elongated flat
sections of wire closely following the generally flat surface of
the portion 10 of the housing. This is the portion, namely the
surface 10, shown facing upwardly in FIG. 1, which is placed
adjacent the coat of the animal in the area where the stimulation
is desired. The device is shown in its partially cut-away
configuration in FIG. 2 to illustrate the zig-zag threading of the
conductor wires 12 and 14 through the surface 10, in the manner
shown most clearly in FIG. 5.
When the device is completed by threading the conductor leads or
wires 12 and 14 in the manner shown in FIGS. 1,2,4 and 5, it
typically is potted or enclosed so that the non-exposed surfaces
are covered by another non-conductive layer or sheet 20, as shown
in FIG. 3. Typically, the parts 10 and 20 are thermoplastic and are
bonded together in a conventional manner to form the housing, with
the exposed segments 12 and 14 for use in conjunction with a
collar, halter, or other training device. Power for applying
electrical voltage pulses to the conductor leads or wires 12 and 14
is applied through corresponding opposite polarity input terminals
16 and 18. The interconnections of the terminals 16 and 18 to the
conductor wires 12 and 14 is clearly shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The
distance between adjacent ones of the exposed portions of the
conductor leads or wires 12 and 14 on the surface of the portion 10
of the housing is selected to be between 1/8'' to 3/4''. The
overall size of the surface 10 is of a relatively small area,
typically on the order of 1'' wide to 11/2 in length. As a
consequence, many possible electrical paths are made between the
positive potential and the negative potential exposed segments.
The overall structure which results in the device which is
illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5 (and which also is shown in the
various other embodiments, to be described subsequently) is that of
a device employing a relatively thin conductor pattern with many
possible electrical paths between a plurality of pairs of conductor
segments. This configuration replaces the traditional single pair
of long, protruding, rounded metal electrodes currently used on
existing products, which provide only two points of contact. In
addition, the flat configuration of the housing and the many spaced
apart conductors allows for a snug fit of the device over the coat
or fur of the animal, without causing irritation to the skin of the
animal. The surface conductors may be attached to the collar in a
variety of ways; or the housing for the surface conductors may be
used separately from a collar strap or halter itself. For example,
the overall configuration shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 may be
employed by placing both the positive and negative surface
conductors 12 and 14 in a single surface housing, such as the
surface housing 10/20 in a variety of locations on the animal while
the terminals 16 and 18 are connected to a suitable output from an
external stimulator.
Another orientation of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 5
may involve using both the positive and negative surface conductors
12 and 14 contained in a single surface housing which surrounds the
entire surface of the neck of an animal, or the leg or chest, nose,
tail, girth, etc. of the animal while the terminals 16 and 18 are
connected to a suitable output from an electrical voltage generator
of the type described previously. Alternatively, a number of
housings of the type shown as the housing 10/20 in FIGS. 1 through
5 may be placed in different locations on the body of the animal,
and connected to the output of an external stimulator unit (voltage
source) by means of an extender hard-wired strap, or by remote
controlled devices, with each of the different housings being
controlled simultaneously, independently, or sequentially, as
desired.
FIGS. 6 through 9 illustrate another configuration employing the
same basic operating principles of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1
through 5. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 through 9, the
overall configuration of the housing is in the form of a flat
circular non-conductive plastic plate 44; and a pair of spaced
conductor wires 46 and 48 are employed and threaded in a fashion
similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 to form a central
conductor pair 48 at substantially the center of the circular plate
or housing 44 surrounded by segments 46 of the other wire conductor
generally spaced close to the circumference of the non-conductive
circular housing 44. The spacing of the segments 46 from the pair
48 is between 1/8'' and 3/4''. The circumference of the plate 44 is
generally between 1'' and 11/2''. FIG. 6 is a top view; and the
connections to the center conductor are through the terminal 50 and
to the outer conductor wire segments 46 through the terminal 52,
much in the same manner as described above in conjunction with the
previous embodiments.
FIG. 7 is a bottom view illustrating the manner in which the
conductor wires 48 and 46 extend on the bottom of the device. FIG.
8 shows the bottom of the device, where it is closed with suitable
non-conductive material, such as plastic which is bonded,
thermoset, or injection molded to cover the conductor wires on the
bottom; so that only the conductor wire segments (or conductor
pins) on the top surface of the portion 44 are exposed for
placement in proximity with the skin of the animal. FIG. 9 is a
side view which illustrates the relative arrangement and threading
of the outer conductor wire 46 around a circular extension or
bottom 56 formed as a part of, or attached to, the portion 44, to
illustrate the manner in which the segments of the conductor wires
46 are formed on the surface of the portion 44.
The embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 through 9 also may be constructed
by forming the outer conductor segments 46, which are exposed on
the top or upper surface of the housing 44, in the form of pins
with a rounded top extending just slightly beyond the upper surface
of the housing 44, in the same manner as the loops of wire 46 are
shown in FIG. 9. The pins, however, may then be firmly molded into
the top of the housing and interconnected by a conductive wire at a
portion extending below the top surface 44, again, much in the same
manner as such an interconnecting wire is illustrated in FIG.
8.
Similarly, the conductor 48 may be in the form of a rounded end pin
or button extending through the housing and connected to the
terminal 50 in the same manner shown in FIG. 7. It should be noted,
that whether this configuration is used or the one which is
illustrated in FIGS. 6 through 9 is used, the projecting portions
of the conductors which are on the surface of the housing 44 does
not include any sharp projections, and basically are at the surface
of the housing 44, or only slightly extending beyond that
surface.
FIGS. 10 through 13 illustrate a different configuration employing
the same basic operating principles of the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 1 through 5, and in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 through
9. In the embodiment of FIGS. 10 to 13, the overall configuration
of the housing again is in the form of a flat, circular,
non-conductive plastic plate 44, with a pair of spaced conductor
wires 46 and 48 employed and threaded in a fashion similar to the
one shown in FIGS. 6 through 9. In the embodiment of FIGS. 10
through 13, however, the central conductor wires extend through the
plate 44 in a circular pattern to form segments 48 in an inner
circle surrounded by the outer circle of segments 46 of the other
wire conductor. The segments 46 are generally spaced close to the
circumference of the non-conductive circular housing 44. The
spacing of the segments 46 from the inner segments 48 is between
1/8'' and 3/4'' between the various segments 46 and 48 which are
nearest one another. The circumference of the plate 44 generally is
between 1'' and 11/2''.
FIG. 10 is a top view; and the connections to the center conductor
wire segments 48 are through the terminal 50. The outer conductor
wire segments 46 are through the terminal 52, much in the same
manner as described above in conjunction with the embodiment of
FIGS. 6 through 9. FIG. 11 is a bottom view illustrating the manner
in which the conductor wire segments 48 and 46 extend on the bottom
of the device. The bottom is closed with suitable plastic in the
same manner as described previously in conjunction with the
embodiment of FIG. 7. Consequently only the conductor wire segments
46 and 48 (or conductor pins) on the top surface of the portion 44
are exposed for placement in proximity with the skin of an animal.
FIG. 13 is a side view comparable to the view of FIG. 9, which
illustrates the relative arrangement and threading of the outer
conductor wire segments 46 around a circular extension or bottom 56
formed as a part of or attached to the portion 44 to illustrate the
manner in which the segments of the conductor wires have formed on
the surface of the portion 44.
The embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 through 13 also may be constructed
in the alternative form described above in conjunction with the
embodiment of FIGS. 6 through 9 by replacing the conductor segments
46 and 48 with pins having a rounded top extending just slightly
beyond the upper surface of the housing 44. The manner of this
construction in conjunction with the embodiment of FIGS. 10 to 13
is the same as the alternative discussed above in conjunction with
the embodiment of FIGS. 6 thorough 9.
In the various embodiments which have been described above, various
types of, materials may be used to construct the surface
conductors. For example, copper, aluminum, stainless steel or
plated brass or plated steel wires may be employed, all of which
are electrically conductive and which can be used in each of the
various embodiments. The wires may be made of solid, braided or
woven material, which will function equally as well, and the choice
of which is a design consideration for the particular application
being made. Alternatively, conductive polymers may be employed for
the various surface conductors. The surface conductors may be in
the form of rounded metal pins, as described above in conjunction
with an alternative embodiment for the one shown in FIGS. 6 through
9, or may be beaded, raised, stamped or extruded of the various
materials described above for solid wire. The conductors also may
be printed, etched or plated on the surface of rigid or flexible
circuit boards. The reference to conductors throughout the
specification is intended to include any conductive material and
processes which may be employed to form surface conductors across
which the voltage stimulation pulses may be applied.
It should be noted that the size and length of the surface
conductors is not limited to any particular arrangement. This is
readily apparent from the variety of embodiments which have been
described above. It is apparent that the conductors may be arranged
in parallel straight line, in a matrix, a square or rectangle, a
circle, or positioned around a cone. The overall width and length
of the grid pattern, however, has been found to be 2'' or less for
effectiveness. These different variations allow for consistent
operation when the conductors are used to contact areas of the body
of an animal other than the neck. The concept of employing surface
conductors, as described in conjunction with the above embodiments,
is best suited for stimulators which provide a high voltage, low
current electrical output. With such devices, the animal senses a
change in the perceived level of the output, irrespective of
whether the external device's levels are changed using a manual
adjustment, or are remotely controlled. Any number of commonly
available plastics may be used to make the housings for the surface
conductors, as well as any type of non-conductive material which is
suitable for any particular application. The manner of attachment
of the conductor housing to collars, harnesses, halters and the
like also may utilize a wide variety of materials.
The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the
invention is to be considered as illustrative and not as limiting.
Various embodiments have been shown in order to illustrate the
relatively wide variety of forms which may be taken by the
invention. Various other changes and modifications will occur to
those skilled in the art for performing substantially the same
function, in substantially the same way, to achieve substantially
the same result without departing from the true scope of the
invention as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *